Understanding Your Desires

I ventured into writing and content creation for several reasons, one of which is the desire for autonomy. I want the freedom to choose projects that I believe in, as working on something I don't support is a frustrating experience.

In a previous role, I was often required to work on initiatives that didn’t align with my beliefs. It was disheartening. How can one produce quality work when they don’t believe in the project? After months of struggling and receiving negative feedback for my lack of enthusiasm, I compromised my principles to deliver a mediocre version of the project. Ultimately, it was deemed unviable, leaving me feeling unheard and my efforts meaningless.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson: I vowed never to engage in work that doesn't resonate with my values. I want to create content that offers value and makes a difference.

Yet, building an online audience is fraught with challenges that can tempt you to give up. Even when obstacles are overcome, success is never guaranteed. Therefore, I initially cherished any writing opportunity outside of Medium, expecting to seize every project that came my way. However, I soon realized that this mindset was misguided.

Initially, I was enthusiastic about my project, involved in a range of tasks from ideation to copywriting. The first few months were enjoyable. But then, I found myself losing interest. The work became repetitive, and I felt stagnant. Coupled with personal challenges, I was stretched thin and realized I had already maximized what I could gain from the position.

Many believe that service-oriented roles lack agency; that the client dictates your worth. I disagree. Providing a service should not feel burdensome. The work should be mutually beneficial. If a project pays well but leaves you feeling miserable, is it truly worth it?

Ultimately, I made the difficult choice to end that collaboration. It was not aligned with my desires anymore. While it was a daunting decision, it felt right.

Recognizing When to Decline: Three Signs the Job Isn't Right

1. Your job feels like a burden

When you find yourself at your desk, dreading the tasks ahead rather than feeling excited, it’s a red flag. If Sunday evenings fill you with anxiety about the upcoming week, it’s time to reassess whether this job truly suits you. Ideally, your work should bring you joy and fulfillment.

2. You struggle to complete tasks

When engaged in work that you love, you often enter a state of flow, losing track of time as you immerse yourself in the task. This is frequently my experience when writing on Medium. However, if you find it consistently difficult to complete tasks, it’s a sign that something isn’t right. Consider if you’re subconsciously delaying the work because it doesn’t resonate with you.

3. The quality of your work declines

Passion fuels quality. When you care about what you do, you invest time and effort, seeking feedback and striving for excellence. Conversely, when you’re disengaged, you may produce subpar work, leading to dissatisfaction for both you and your client. If delivering quality work feels like a burden, it’s time to reevaluate your situation.

Final Thoughts

Dissatisfaction with your job doesn’t have to be a permanent state. It could simply be a mismatch, and you have the autonomy to change it.

Not all opportunities will suit you perfectly. Keep an eye out for these three indicators:

• Your work feels burdensome.
• You struggle to meet deadlines.
• The quality of your output has diminished.

Recognizing these signs allowed me to say no to a job that wasn’t right for me, paving the way for better opportunities. Learn to identify these signals, and you’ll never again find yourself trapped in a job that doesn’t bring you joy.

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